Putting all the speculations to rest, the Yankees’ veteran pitcher Gerrit Cole is all set to undergo Tommy John surgery and is out of action for the entire 2025. Well, that’s a big-ticket loss for the Yankees, considering he owes $36 million for 2025. While Cole’s injury is an unfortunate setback, should players in their thirties not be offered a long-term contract? Well, former NFL quarterback and MLB insider Boomer Esiason hopes so.

“I said let him go…It would have been the best move [Cashman] has ever made,” Esiason said in his podcast with WFAN Sports Radio. Esiason reportedly asked the Yankees manager, Brian Cashman, to let Cole go after he opted out in 2024. However, injuries are part of the sport, so why would the teams not take responsibility for their players? Contrary to popular belief, many MLB players continue to play at a good level long into their 30s and even 40s, albeit in a wide range of positions.

While some may begin to suffer a reduction in performance in their early to mid-30s, Justin Verlander, who won a Cy Young award at age 41 and has continued to pitch at a high level, is just one of many examples of players who have maintained their level of performance into their 30s and 40s. Thus, the Yankees may not be on the wrong page in offering a long-term contract to Cole, a nine-year deal worth $324 million in 2020.

After all, Cole finished the 2019 season with a 20–5 record; he was leading in the AL with a 2.50 ERA at that time. Hence, many are still backing the contract between Cole and the Yankees, but Esiason’s contrasting statement has sparked buzz among the fans.

Fans are rallying behind Gerrit Cole

While fans are supporting Esiason’s statement, a few others took over X to oppose his view. One such fan took a direct dig at Boomer Esiason over his age. Notably, Esiason has been working with WFAN since 2007, and he is 63 now. Thus, if he can continue his stuff, why not Gerrit Cole? Yes, there’s a difference between on-field performance and off-field activities. But Cole is indeed facing the wrath of injuries from the last year. In 2023, he won the AL CY Young Award, which proves his worth.

Another rational take by a user highlighted how the former players are insensitive towards the current roster. Injuries are part of any player’s life, and even Esiason was injured in 1995 during his stint with the Jets. Thus, Cole’s injury should also be considered an unfortunate incident that should be dealt with sensitively by the Yankees.

Another enthusiast took a direct dig at Esiason, referring to him as a fool. Well, Esiason was an established NFL player and a presenter, but he might have been misinformed on the Cole’s saga. The Yankees are not at all at a loss; they will receive $27 million of Cole’s 2025 salary due to insurance tax. Thus, the Yankees will be deprived of Cole’s on-field action and nothing more than that.

One fan shared a neutral view about where the Yankees might have gone wrong. According to him, pitchers in the MLB shouldn’t be offered a deal for more than 5 years. This sounds rational, considering the risks involved in getting a player on a long-term contract. Shorter-term deals can make the teams immune to their financial loss due to injuries.

A visibly frustrated user took on Boomer Esiason. As per the contract clause, the Yankees could not let Cole go; it’s the 34-year-old who decides this move. Hence, Esiason’s opinion about letting Cole go would be invalid anyway.

The Yankees surely saw value in Gerrit Cole in getting him for the long term. Gerrit Cole will only return in 2026, and hopefully, this time, he will be fit and sound. The Yankees fans would surely wait to witness Cole at his very best for one last time.

Do you think that Cole’s contract was a blunder for the Yankees? Share your views with us below.